March 28 2015

We’ve hosted Hall of Famers and Pulitzer Prize winners. But never a 16-year-old author. Until now.

Matt Nadel’s first book -- Amazing Aaron to Zero Zippers -- is an A-to-Z compendium of the best players, ballparks, teams, and moments in the history of the game. Filled with stats and quick facts, and featuring over 50 iconic photographs, the book is a primer for baseball beginners, a resource for developing fans, and a treat for long-time devotees. Special bonus: a foreword by Hall of Famer Jim Palmer.

All of Matt’s book proceeds will be donated to the ALS, Turn 2, Jackie Robinson, and Hall of Fame foundations.

Matt Nadel has written an MLB.com Pro Blog since he was 13-years-old. He’s interviewed Yogi Berra, Hank Aaron, Bud Selig, Rob Manfred, Billy Crystal, President George W. Bush and many others. Matt would like to interview every living President and Hall of Famer. A 10th grader who resides in New Jersey, he aspires to be a baseball journalist and historian. When not doing baseball research or working on his blog, Matt enjoys watching his beloved Yankees, playing video games, and eating chocolate ice cream with rice krispies.

On a March evening, Matt Nadel came to the Bergino Baseball Clubhouse for his first-ever book event. In front of a standing-room-only crowd, Matt showed why he's a "can't-miss" prospect. Listen in...

March 16 2015

“I pray that my Dad knew how much I loved and respected him. I am very blessed to be able to say that Joe Black was my father.” -Martha Jo Black

When Joe Black was in high school, a Major League scout told him that the color of his skin would keep him out of the big leagues. But in 1952, at the age of 28, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. In the face of segregation, verbal harassment, and even death threats, Joe Black became Jackie Robinson’s roommate and rose to the top of his game; he was named National League Rookie of the Year and became the first African-American pitcher to win a World Series game. With the same tenacity he showed in his baseball career, Black became the first African-American vice president of a transportation corporation when he went to work for Greyhound.

Martha Jo Black is the daughter of Joe Black. She lives in Chicago, where she works for the Chicago White Sox.

Joe Black: More Than A Dodger. Listen in to our intimate Clubhouse conversation with Martha Jo Black from a March evening, where she shared stories of the father she knew and loved...

March 7 2015

“As a Marine, one of Brooklyn’s beloved Boys of Summer, and the manager of the Miracle Mets, Gil Hodges lived a great American life, though one cut too short. In these pages you understand how Hodges defined what it meant to be a role model in a golden age." -Tom Verducci, senior writer for Sports Illustrated

“Zachter brings the same grace and precision to the page that Hodges brought to first base at Ebbets Field and with methodical research, insight, and pure affection gives life to the man behind the astounding stats.” -Marty Markowitz, former Brooklyn Borough president

“Whether focusing on Hodges the Hoosier, the marine on Okinawa, the home run-hitting slugger, or the Brooklynite on Bedford Avenue, Mort Zachter has given us Gil, right down to the nub of his Marlboro.” -Bob McGee, author of The Greatest Ballpark Ever

Listen in to Mort Zachter's appearance in the Clubhouse on a snowy March evening and you’ll understand the warm praise...